What rivalry? Owls continue year of dominance of Cougars

Even if it’s for one season. And trust me, the “Case Keenum will take care of this” comments are already rolling in.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Owls hold the distinction of sweeping the crosstown rival Cougars in all three major sports — football, men’s basketball and baseball — during the regular season for the 2010-11 academic year.

Here’s a recap of the year that was for the Owls:

• • •

Baseball: The Owls won all five regular-season meetings to capture the Silver Glove Trophy for the 11th straight season.

Rice second baseman Michael Ratterree hit .600 (9-of-15) with six RBIs to lead the Owls to a three-game sweep over the weekend at Cougar Field.

In five games against the Cougars this season, Ratterree hit .542 with one home run, eight RBIs and eight runs scored to earn Most Outstanding Player in the Silver Glove Series.

Rice won all three games this weekend in convincing fashion to extend its winning streak to 14 over the Cougars. Rice has won 19 of the last 20 meetings dating back to the 2008 season.

As for the Silver Glove Trophy, it returns to South Main for the 13th time in the 14 years that it has been up for grabs.

Season records: Rice (32-16, 12-6 C-USA); UH (22-26, 11-7 C-USA).

Quotable: “People ask me if it’s a mental thing that we continue to get beat by Rice. It has nothing to do with mental. It’s the ability level. They have better players than we do. It’s not mental. It’s the fact that they’re better.” — UH coach Todd Whitting

A year after a humiliating 73-14 loss to the Cougars, the Owls pulled off a 34-31 stunner at Rice Stadium to claim the Bayou Bucket:

The Owls claimed the Bayou Bucket with a 34-31 win over the Cougars. (Chronicle photo: Smiley N. Pool)

Nick Fanuzzi threw a 13-yard touchdown to Vance McDonald with 4:24 remaining to rally Rice, which blew a 20-point lead. The Owls made a late stand when Houston quarterback David Piland — on fourth down-and-inches from the Rice 37 — fumbled the snap exchange with 1:37 remaining.

Season records: UH (5-7, 4-4 in C-USA); Rice (4-8, 3-5)

Quotable:“We’re bringing this (Bayou Bucket) back where it should be.” — Rice nose tackle John Gioffre

• • •

Basketball: Rice won 79-71 in OT on Jan. 26 and 72-57 on March 5.

Entering the season, the series had been lopsided with UH winning eight in a row and 57 of 71 overall.

Arsalan Kazemi had 17 points and 13 rebounds in the first meeting against UH (Chronicle photo: Karren Warren)

The Owls completed a season sweep of the Cougars for the first time since 1993. It is only the second time the Owls have swept the Cougars.

Season records: Rice (13-18, 5-11 C-USA); UH (12-17, 4-12)

Quotable: “It’s huge for our team and I’m really happy for our players. I really wanted to experience some of that success and confidence because we’ve been knocking on the door all year long and we’ve been in so many close games. We’ve won some but we’ve lost our fair share too.” — Rice coach Ben Braun